here is another 2 cents.........the 301 without a walking foot is like other machines with a walking foot..the way the slant needle feeds and works with the feed dogs (and the visability may play into this) is a joy !!!! the 1/4 inch marking on the plate is accurate and if you sew still able to see the line you have a perfect scant 1/4 inch (using aurifil thread). hope you post photos... mine is light beige and oyster white and has the table.